The last ten years have seen the internet flourish, expanding exponentially with the growth in business websites and personalised blog-centric content. Previously the domain of web designers with programming expertise, it's never been easier to create and manage your own content online.

The growth in popularity has brought with it a flood of CMS (content management system) platforms onto the market. For newcomers the choice can literally be overwhelming. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the key features to look out for when choosing your content management system.

Managing Your Web Content With Ease 
Choosing the right content management system for your website could make all the difference to your online publishing plans. Here are some pointers to help you choose.

a) Clear, Accessible Interface 
An absolute pre-requisite for any CMS – users should be able to navigate menus and locate basic functions with ease. Impenetrable front-end design is entirely counter-productive in terms of your time, effort and motivation. A good CMS will guide you fluidly, making micro-management of content and categories a breeze.

b) Admin Rights 
For those working in small teams or allowing external freelancers to contribute content, a clear admin system is vital. The ability to retain tight control over who can and who can't access certain areas of the system will ultimately prevent any unwanted interference or nasty surprises.

c) Updating Meta-data 
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has come a long way during the last few years and, whilst no longer the be all and end all, meta data still have a vital part to play. Ideally a good content management system will offer full control over each individual page instead of offering a blanket meta description. Try to avoid sites offering default meta-data.

d) Editing Your Content 
A basic component of most modern CMSs is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. A CMS that offers this facility offers users the best of both worlds. Those who aren't familiar with HTML coding can create content quickly and easily, whilst more advanced users can tweak down to the finest detail.

For users somewhere in between the two, such an editor enables them to switch between the two – thus catering to coders of all levels.

e) Statistics and Logs 
Knowing who changed what and when is essential when it comes to running a tight ship. It will also assist in preventing problems before they occur. Overlooked by many amateur administrators, statistics also provide a useful method of gauging a site's performance and identifying areas for improvement.

Whilst it's highly unlikely you'll find a CMS offering every single feature mentioned in this article, the best advice is to decide which are the most relevant to the type of site you intend to create and go from there. If you like some help and advice in choosing the right CMS to suit you, call 0845 345 2592.